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Architectural Sketching with Watercolor and Ink – Domestika

Last week as I was scrolling through my Facebook Newsfeed I happened upon a course through Domestika. I had registered an account with them some time ago but never actually purchased a course.

This particular day a course came up called, ‘Architectural Sketching with Watercolor and Ink’. This of course, ‘was music to my ears!’ Amongst other subjects to sketch and paint, architecture is right up there so my interest was piqued almost instantly. Even better, it came up as a ‘Weekend Special’ and was reduced from AUD$79.00 to $12.90 so it was too good not to take advantage of.

The course is being delivered by Alex Hillkurtz, a Storyboard Artist in France who has worked on over 20 Feature films.

At date, the course has been completed by over 114,481 students and has a 99% rating.

Thus far I’m on Unit 2, Preparation and am looking forward to doing more of the course on the weekend. When I finish the course I will post the end project here.

In the meantime, here is the link if you would like to check out the course for yourself.

https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/1092-architectural-sketching-with-watercolor-and-ink/course

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

30 June 2022

Relaxation That Follows/Waiting For Inspiration

As my Followers would be aware, recently my Wife and I went to Norfolk Island. Since returning from Paradise it ‘has been all go’ though strangely (but no surprise) I have felt a greater sense of relaxation throughout this busy time. I put that down to the way of life that is Norfolk Island.

Anson Bay, Norfolk Island

I have felt this way before after both our previous trips to the Island. It is hard to imagine unless you have experienced it but as soon as you step off the plane on Norfolk Island a wave of relaxation washes over you. Each time upon returning home, that relaxation has followed me.

We have been very busy since our return (even though the sense of relaxation remained)…

  • Our Finance Broking business is growing more and more/more enquiries since our return
  • I am also part of an emerging BNI (Business Network International) business breakfast referral group
  • Doing training/education associated with both of the above
  • I continue to do my Entrepreneurship Facilitator role (mentoring start-up businesses)
  • My Watercolour Sketch a Day project continues
  • I am gearing up to have a stall for my Watercolours down at Red Point Artist Association in May
  • Still involved with Toastmasters (though have only made it to one meeting)
  • Judging at one of the local Photographic Societies
  • Catching up with Family/Friends

One thing that had not happened since my return was ‘my morning writing time’, or indeed much writing time at all. It is a bit of a culture-shock to come back from such a relaxing holiday and jump headlong into being so busy but ‘life waits for no-one!’ I usually enjoy an hour or two on a Saturday and/or Sunday morning. Sometimes, it is later in the day.

I haven’t put many poems on the blog since my return almost 6 weeks ago. It is probably (since I started writing poetry in 2013) the longest writing break I’ve experienced since then.

For a moment there I started to think that maybe ‘my poetry writing had run its course…’. This morning (Good Friday here in Australia), I finally felt like picking up my trusty Fountain Pen and started to write, inspired by a photo I took whilst on Norfolk Island. A short, twelve-line poem came out, then a sixteen-line one, then an eight-line one, all of which I will upload.

Sometimes I guess, we just have to let ‘Nature take its course…’. The seeds of the Poems were there…I just had to be patient and wait for the inspiration to come…

Till next time!

Written and Photographed by David Johnson

15 April 2022